Patents Assigned to CVRx, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20080167696
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stimulation of a baroreflex system of a patient is provided. A method comprises establishing a therapy regimen including at least one pulse which includes at least two phases. Each phase has a polarity which is different than that of the other phase. The baroreflex system of the patient is activated with at least one baroreflex activation device which is responsive to the therapy regimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam W. Cates, Martin A. Rossing
  • Publication number: 20080167690
    Abstract: Peripheral vascular diseases, such as peripheral artery disease, are treated by activating a baroreflex response of a patient suffering from or at risk of these conditions. In the exemplary embodiments, the baroreflex response is activated using an implantable system comprising a controller and a device which activates the baroreceptor or baroreceptor nerve in order to initiate the baroreflex response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Cody, Robert S. Kieval
  • Publication number: 20080161887
    Abstract: An electrode assembly having homogeneous noble metal or blended alloy nanostructures for enhancement of capacitive charge injection. Applications can include stimulation of the baroreflex, neural stimulation and cardiac stimulation. In one embodiment, a matrix of substantially elongate nanocylinders or nanotubes are configured to deliver electrical charge to a target tissue, conducting charge substantially along the elongate axes of the nanostructures. The configuration enhances the real or effective area of the electrode to promote capacitive charge injection, and entraps solution for more complete recovery of electro-generated species. Certain embodiments may be configured to apply a suction through the electrode for temporary placement of the electrode for mapping the response of the electrode vs. positioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Hagen
  • Publication number: 20080161865
    Abstract: A device positionable on a vascular structure for stimulating the vascular structure to elicit a physiologic response. The device includes a base having generally opposed inner and outer surfaces and a hydrophilic material presented on at least a portion of the inner surface presenting a lubricious surface for selectively positioning the device on the vascular structure. The device further includes an electrode structure presented with the base to provide stimulation to the vascular structure, wherein the base and electrodes are configured to conform to at least a portion of the vascular structure to maintain an intimate vascular structure-electrode interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey J. Hagen
  • Patent number: 7395119
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating an electric field inside a patient include at least a first electrode and a second electrode on a common implantable substrate. Each of the electrodes has a respective proximal end and a respective distal end. Electrical energy can be applied that causes electrical current to flow simultaneously through the first and second electrodes preferentially from the proximal end of one electrode to the distal end of the other electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Hagen, Mary L. Cole, Martin A. Rossing
  • Publication number: 20080154349
    Abstract: Connection structures on an extra-vascular electrode lead body improve strain relief and strengthen the transition region where electrical conductors carried by the lead body are joined to individual electrodes at the distal end of the lead. The electrodes include structure or mechanisms for externally securing the electrode assembly to a body part. A first connection structure is located on the lead body proximal the electrodes to anchor the lead body to a first anchor location in the body that generally moves in concert with the body part. A second connection structure is located on the lead body proximal to the first connection structure to anchor the lead body to a second anchor location that is at least partially independent of movement of the body part. The first and second anchor location are offset by a distance that is less than a distance between the first and second connection structures to provide strain relief for the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Rossing, Stephen L. Bolea, David W. Mayer, Aaron Hjelle
  • Patent number: 7389149
    Abstract: Connection structures on an extra-vascular electrode lead body improve strain relief and strengthen the transition region where electrical conductors carried by the lead body are joined to individual electrodes at the distal end of the lead. The electrodes include structure or mechanisms for externally securing the electrode assembly to a body part. A first connection structure is located on the lead body proximal the electrodes to anchor the lead body to a first anchor location in the body that generally moves in concert with the body part. A second connection structure is located on the lead body proximal to the first connection structure to anchor the lead body to a second anchor location that is at least partially independent of movement of the body part. The first and second anchor location are offset by a distance that is less than a distance between the first and second connection structures to provide strain relief for the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: CVRX, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin A. Rossing, Stephen L. Bolea, David W. Mayer, Aaron Hjelle, Thomas P. Crowley, Eric D. Irwin
  • Publication number: 20080140167
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating an electric field inside a patient include at least a first electrode and a second electrode on a common implantable substrate. Each of the electrodes has a respective proximal end and a respective distal end. Electrical energy can be applied that causes electrical current to flow simultaneously through the first and second electrodes preferentially from the proximal end of one electrode to the distal end of the other electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Hagen, Mary L. Cole, Martin A. Rossing
  • Publication number: 20080097540
    Abstract: A monitoring device is provided to monitor a patient. The monitoring device includes at least one lead having an electrode. The lead is positioned proximate a location within the patient's body, and the lead is adapted to sense cardiac electrical activity. The monitoring device also includes a control system coupled to the at least one lead to receive a signal representative of the cardiac electrical activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Robert Kieval, Bruce Persson, David Serdar, Peter Keith, Eric Irwin, Martin Rossing
  • Publication number: 20080082137
    Abstract: A tissue stimulation device includes an electrode array having at least four independently switchable electrodes. In one embodiment, the electrode array comprises a flexible base to which the electrodes are fixed that flexes to encompass at least a portion of an artery or other elongate biological structure. The electrodes are electrically coupled to and energized by a signal generator coupled to a control system. In one embodiment, the array of electrodes are configured such that a suitable signal pattern for stimulation pulses between or among a set of the switchable electrodes may be determined without having to reposition the electrode assembly by using a series of signal patterns activating different combinations of switchable electrodes in response to sub-stimulation test signals to determine a signal pattern that provides suitable patient response. In another embodiment, the array of electrodes includes an array of selectively activatable multi-polar electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Kieval, Martin Rossing
  • Publication number: 20080051767
    Abstract: A method and device for delivering and monitoring baroreflex and drug therapy to manage hypertension. The method includes providing an implanted an implanted medical device configured to automatically detect drug-related effects on the autonomic nervous system including the steps of measuring a physiologic status of the autonomic nervous system at desired intervals, logging the physiologic status of the autonomic nervous system at desired intervals, monitoring the measured and logged physiologic status of the autonomic nervous system for any changes and correlating the changes to a corresponding drug administration time. The device includes an implanted baroreflex activation device capable of administering one or more hypertension treatment drugs including a controller that activates and adjusts therapy delivery, a baroreflex activation therapy delivery device, a drug therapy delivery device and a device that senses physiologic parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Rossing, Robert Kieval, Eric Irwin, Brad Pedersen, Vadim Braginsky
  • Publication number: 20080046054
    Abstract: An electrode assembly for implantation around an elongate biological structure such as, for example, a blood vessel, includes at least one belt mechanism for securing the electrode assembly around the outer surface of the elongate biological structure. Each of the at least one belt mechanism includes a strap and a buckle. The assembly has a length that is sufficient to permit wrapping it around the outer surface of the elongate biological structure. The buckle can be attached to, or integrally formed in, the base, and functions to retain a portion of the strap when the strap is engaged with the buckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Hjelle, Mary Cole, Martin Rossing
  • Publication number: 20080009916
    Abstract: A method of operating a baroreflex therapy system includes providing an implantable baroreflex activation device, providing a sensing arrangement, and providing a controller in operable communication with the baroreflex activation device and the sensing arrangement. The sensing arrangement is used to measure cardiac electrical activity of a patient to generate cardiac electrical activity data. The cardiac electrical activity data is communicated to the controller, wherein the controller performs heart rate variability analysis based on the cardiac electrical activity data. An indication of results of the heart rate variability analysis are provided, upon which a determination may be made to adjust a baroreflex therapy to be delivered by the implantable baroreflex activation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: CVRX, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Rossing, Robert Kieval, Eric Erwin, Brad Pedersen, Vadim Braginisky
  • Publication number: 20080009917
    Abstract: A method of operating a baroreflex therapy system includes providing an implantable baroreflex activation device, providing a sensing arrangement, and providing a controller in operable communication with the baroreflex activation device and the sensing arrangement. The sensing arrangement is used to measure a physical parameter of a patient to generate physical parameter data. The physical parameter data is communicated to the controller, wherein the controller performs heart rate variability analysis based on the physical parameter data. An indication of results of the heart rate variability analysis are provided, upon which a determination may be made to adjust a baroreflex therapy to be delivered by the implantable baroreflex activation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Rossing, Robert Kieval, Eric Erwin, Brad Pedersen, Vadim Braginisky
  • Publication number: 20080004673
    Abstract: A method and device for providing stimulation to an artery for purposes of eliciting a physiologic response. A cuff having at least one electrode is provided, wherein the cuff is biased to conform to at least a portion of a vascular structure to maintain an intimate vascular structure-electrode interface. The device is selectively positioned proximate the effective position for providing stimulation to the vascular structure and the cuff is enabled to biasedly conform to at least a portion of the vascular structure. The cuff comprises includes resiliency enabling substantially normal pulsatile expansion of the artery while maintaining effective artery-electrode interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Rossing, Mary Cole, Brian Soltis
  • Publication number: 20070282385
    Abstract: A lockout connector arrangement for implantable medical devices having at least one port for receiving a non-cardiac lead connector selectively permits only certain electrical leads to be connected to the implantable medical device. A lead connector pin of a non-cardiac lead connector is specially designed to be larger than a DF-1 lead connector pin, but smaller than an IS-1 lead connector pin. A corresponding header of implantable pulse generator has a connector port for a non-cardiac lead with a proximal-most portion that is larger than the DF-1 lead connector pin, but smaller than the IS-1 lead connector pin; and otherwise generally consistent with the other dimensions of an ISO standard IS-1 pacemaker lead connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Rossing, Stephen Bolea, Aaron Hjelle, James Henry, Brad Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20070276442
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating an electric field inside a patient include at least a first electrode and a second electrode on a common implantable substrate. Each of the electrodes has a respective proximal end and a respective distal end. Electrical energy can be applied that causes electrical current to flow simultaneously through the first and second electrodes preferentially from the proximal end of one electrode to the distal end of the other electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hagen, Mary Cole, Martin Rossing
  • Publication number: 20070276459
    Abstract: Connection structures on an extra-vascular electrode lead body improve strain relief and strengthen the transition region where electrical conductors carried by the lead body are joined to individual electrodes at the distal end of the lead. The electrodes include structure or mechanisms for externally securing the electrode assembly to a body part. A first connection structure is located on the lead body proximal the electrodes to anchor the lead body to a first anchor location in the body that generally moves in concert with the body part. A second connection structure is located on the lead body proximal to the first connection structure to anchor the lead body to a second anchor location that is at least partially independent of movement of the body part. The first and second anchor location are offset by a distance that is less than a distance between the first and second connection structures to provide strain relief for the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Rossing, Stephen Bolea, David Mayer, Aaron Hjelle, Tom Crowley, Eric Irwin
  • Publication number: 20070185542
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described by which the blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity may be selectively and controllably reduced by activating baroreceptors. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a baroreceptor, preferably a baroreceptor located in the carotid sinus. A control system may be used to modulate the baroreceptor activation device. The control system may utilize an algorithm defining a stimulus regimen which promotes long term efficacy and reduces power requirements/consumption. The baroreceptor activation device may utilize electrodes to activate the baroreceptors. The electrodes may be adapted for connection to the carotid arteries at or near the carotid sinus, and may be designed to minimize extraneous tissue stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Robert Kieval, Bruce Persson, David Serdar, Peter Keith, Eric Irwin, Martin Rossing
  • Publication number: 20070185543
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a medical device having a baroreflex stimulator to generate a stimulation signal, the stimulation signal being adapted to stimulate a baroreflex, and a controller to communicate with the baroreflex stimulator and implement a baroreflex stimulus regimen to vary an intensity of the baroreflex stimulation provided by the stimulation signal to maintain stimulation efficacy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: CVRx, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Rossing, Robert Kieval, David Serdar, Bruce Persson